experiences

new skills

Voluntary work is a great way to give back to the community, and it can also be a great way to gain new skills and experiences. However, before you jump into volunteer work, you should keep a few things in mind. Here are seven things you need to know before engaging in voluntary work:

right reasons

The first thing you need to consider before volunteering is your motivation. Why do you want to volunteer? Are you looking to make a difference in your community? Are you hoping to gain new skills or experiences?

Things You Need To Know Before Engaging in Voluntary Work

doing it

Or are you simply trying to pad your resume? If you're not sure why you want to volunteer, it's worth thinking about it. Once you know your motivation, you'll be able to choose a volunteer opportunity that is best suited for you.

research

Be sure you do your research before volunteering. First, you'll want to find out what is involved in different volunteer opportunities. You'll also want to be sure that the organization fits your needs.

interested

Be sure that the volunteer opportunity you're interested in will be legal. Many opportunities do not require official registration as a charity or non-profit organization, but you should still be sure that your activity is legal.

ensure you

Before volunteering, ensure you have the time to spend with the organization. If you need to squeeze volunteering into your busy schedule, it's possible that you won't be able to participate in voluntary activities.

Opportunity is Safe

Make sure that working with a volunteer opportunity is safe. You should be aware of the risks involved with the volunteer activity and be certain that you can manage these risks appropriately. For example, working with animals, you should know how to work around them safely. If it’s unsafe to work around animals, you might want to reconsider your interest in that particular organization or activity. For example, some charitable organizations might take your donations without being registered with the law. Also, if a lot of work is involved in an activity, it might not be the right choice for you.

Be Treated

Volunteer opportunities are not like jobs. The volunteer activities that you’re interested in may involve helping out at an event or working with a specific group of people. When you’re volunteering, you are not working for the organization; instead, you’re joining in the activities being undertaken by the organization. This means that your status is more akin to that of a guest than an employee. Additionally, the work you do may not always be glamorous or exciting. Be sure you are motivated to volunteer and devote time to your activities. Also, be sure that it is safe for you to work with the organization and that you will be treated like a guest, not an employee.

Be prepared for limited rewards

Any Monetary

When volunteering, you may not get the opportunity for any monetary reward. Besides learning new skills, there’s usually no tangible reward from volunteering activities (other than the satisfaction of helping others). Volunteering is a great way to make a difference in your community. However, it’s important to keep a few things in mind when looking for volunteer opportunities.